While Cray was among artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and George Thorogood who got wider radio airplay and regular MTV video exposure during the late 1980s, he started playing guitar in his early teens. At Denbigh High School in Newport News, Virginia, his love of blues and soul music flourished as he started collecting records. Originally, Robert Cray wanted to become an architect, but at about the same time he was going to study design in architecture he formed a local band "Steakface", described as "the best band from Lakewood you never heard of". Cray on guitar and vocals contributed greatly to Steakface's set list of songs by Jimi Hendrix, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Fleetwood Mac, the Grease Band, Blodwyn Pig, Jethro Tull, Forever More, Spirit, and The Faces.
By the time he was twenty, Cray had seen his heroes Albert Collins, Freddie King and Muddy Waters in concert, and decided to form his own band. His band started playing college towns on the west coast. After several years of regional success, Cray was signed to Mercury Records in 1982. His third release, Strong Persuader, received a Grammy Award, while the crossover single "Smokin' Gun" gave him wider appeal and name recognition.
By then Cray was an opening act for such major stars as Eric Clapton (who remains a friend to this day), and sold out larger venues as a solo artist. Cray has generally played Fender guitars (Telecasters and Stratocasters) and there are two signature Robert Cray Stratocasters models available from Fender.
Cray continues to record and tour.
The Price I Pay
Robert Cray Lyrics
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Late at night
The highway is so inviting
Since you said that we were through
I remember what you told me
I'm trying to drive away these blues
I can do a lot of things
I can't make it by myself, in this great big world
The price I pay for loving you
Deep in my mind
I'm trying to fight
This lonely feeling that I face tonight
Never thought I would lose
I can't shake this awful feeling
I'll never stop loving you
I can do a lot fo things
But let me tell you girl
I can't make it by myself in this great big world
The price I pay for loving you
Do I love her anymore
Or is it loneliness that I feel
Do our hearts still beat as one
Or are we held together by the years
The price I pay for loving you
I'm goin' home
It's started rainin'
Got to find a phone, hope that she's waiting
Gonna say I've been a fool
Put my head back on my shoulder
Take a little time and see things through
I can do a lot fo things
But let me tell you girl
That I can't make it by myself in this great big world
Oh what a price I pay for loving you
The price I pay for loving you
There's a lot of things in this world
I've yet to learn
There's a whole lot of things
In this song, Robert Cray sings about the aftermath of a breakup and his struggle to move on. He is driving on the highway, trying to escape the memories of his former love. He remembers what she told him, and he is trying to drive away the blues he feels. He then admits that he cannot make it on his own in this world without his ex-girlfriend, and loving her has come at a great cost to him.
The second verse finds Cray fighting off a deep sense of loneliness. He had never thought he would lose his love, and he cannot shake the feeling that he will always love her. He questions whether he still loves her or if it's just the loneliness he's feeling. He wonders if their hearts are still as one or if they're only held together by the years they've spent together. He ends the verse by saying that loving her has come at a great cost to him, and he must pay the price.
In the final verse, Cray decides to go back home. It has started raining, and he hopes that she is waiting for him. He admits that he has been a fool and that he needs to put his head back on his shoulder. He knows that he must take the time to see things through and move on from his lost love. He ends the song by saying that there is still a lot he has to learn in this world, and loving her has come at a great cost.
Line by Line Meaning
Out on the road
I am driving alone on the highway
Late at night
It is dark outside and very quiet
The highway is so inviting
Driving on this long road feels freeing
Since you said that we were through
Ever since you left me, it has been hard for me to move on
I remember what you told me
I can't forget the hurtful things you said to me
I'm trying to drive away these blues
I am trying to escape the sadness that is weighing me down
I can do a lot of things
But let me tell you girl
I can't make it by myself, in this great big world
The price I pay for loving you
I am capable of many things, but being without you is too difficult for me to bear. The cost of loving you is high
Deep in my mind
I'm trying to fight
This lonely feeling that I face tonight
I am struggling to combat the sense of isolation I am experiencing
Never thought I would lose
I can't shake this awful feeling
I'll never stop loving you
I never expected to feel this way, and I am finding it impossible to move on from loving you
Do I love her anymore
Or is it loneliness that I feel
I am questioning whether or not I still love you or if I am only feeling lonely
Do our hearts still beat as one
Or are we held together by the years
The price I pay for loving you
I am unsure if our connection is real or simply based on the time we have spent together. But regardless, it is costing me greatly to have loved you
I'm goin' home
It's started rainin'
Got to find a phone, hope that she's waiting
Gonna say I've been a fool
Put my head back on my shoulder
Take a little time and see things through
I am returning home, and it is pouring down rain. Hoping to reach out to you and admit my faults. I need to sort myself out and take time to think about our relationship
I can do a lot fo things
But let me tell you girl
That I can't make it by myself in this great big world
Oh what a price I pay for loving you
The price I pay for loving you
I am a capable person, but without you, I am struggling to make it. It is the cost of loving you
There's a lot of things in this world
I've yet to learn
There's a whole lot of things
There is still so much for me to discover and understand about the world
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ROBERT WILLIAM CRAY, DENNIS LEO WALKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind